DOWN in the 'VALLEY' - A fall getaway

Spot Texas wildlife from the Tree Tower Overlook in the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge near Alamo Texas-in The Valley (photo below)

It had been a long time since we traveled to
the Rio Grande Valley other than for a quick trip to see relatives and then we
were focused on visiting different family residences, occasionally going to a
local restaurant and bringing home bags of grapefruit. Imagine our surprise to
find that the “Valley” had emerged as a premier vacation destination while we
weren’t looking.

For many years the Rio Grande Valley has been a
favorite spot for what are called “snow birds” or “Winter Texans”. They come from cold areas of the United
States and Canada to enjoy the magnificent South Texas weather and hospitality,
swelling the population to over four million people during the winter. This growth
has created the need for more restaurants, hotels, theatres, museums, and
shopping venues.

Long before humans occupied the area, the unique environment for
over 500 different species of birds and over 300 species of butterflies was
developing thanks to the convergence of two major bird migratory routes, biologically diverse areas, an average temperature of 72 degrees, and approximately
325 days of sunshine and 22 inches of rain each year.

For the Birds

There are over 85 different birding sanctuaries scattered throughout the
Valley. At Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State
Park, near the city of Mission, birdwatchers can sit back and relax in lawn
swings, provided by the park, positioned with a perfect view of a variety of
bird feeder occupied by Green Jays and other birds. The Green Jay, a brilliantly colored tropical species, is a Valley
resident and breeds almost exclusively in extreme southern Texas. Close by is the National Butterfly Center, home to over 300 species of butterflies, providing a perfect habitat
for possibly God’s most colorful and graceful creatures.

During a visit to Quinta Mazatlan,
located in McAllen, not only can you enjoy the tour of the beautiful mansion
that was built by Jason Chilton Matthews, an
eccentric Indiana Jones-type character, but also you can meander through
beautiful gardens and see Great Kiskadees, Green Jays, and Chachalacas. Unlike
the Greet Kiskadee and the Green Jay, the Chachalaca is not a colorful bird,
nor does it have a melodious song, but it is a very entertaining bird. It runs and jumps more than it flies, and its
most distinctive feature is its extremely loud call “cha-cha-lac” ergo, its name.

Sitting on the large shaded deck overlooking the Isis Pond at the Estero Llano Grande State Park in
Weslaco, guests can observe a
wide variety of birds and waterfowl. In fact, the record of sightings from this
deck is 115 bird species in one day. The Canopy Walk rope bridge invites hikers to get closer to nature in the refuge

Take a Hike

At the Santa Ana National
Wildlife Refuge, seven miles south of Alamo, you can take the Nature Tram
on a 1½-hour tour with knowledgeable guides, or you can hike the 12 miles of nature trails on your
own, through Ebony trees dripping with Spanish moss. The Chachalaca Trail is
one of the most popular. This one-half mile trail will lead you to Willow Lake
to view grebes, black-bellied whistling ducks and several varieties of
kingfishers. Within the Refuge you can visit an historic cemetery and climb the
40-foot high Tree Tower Overlook for great wildlife viewing. Enjoy a unique
Canopy Walk on a rope suspension footbridge.

Another interesting place for both hiking and birding is the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a 40-acre
wetland oasis. This World Birding Center has an Interpretative Center with a gift
shop, a 3½-acre
native butterfly habitat, and 2 ½ miles of trials. Waterfowl and shorebirds
make this place their home, including herons, cormorants, ospreys, and the
Green Kingfisher.

Food for your Mind

The Museum
of South Texas History in Edinburg includes displays from prehistoric
plants and animals of the area to modern culture of both South Texas and
Northern Mexico.

At the International Museum of Art and Science, a Smithsonian Affiliate, science
comes alive with illustrations of planetary and celestial systems with images
from the Hubble Space Telescope. The Nuevo
Santander Gallery, the anchor of the vibrant arts district along Main
Street in McAllen, focuses on art of the Spanish Colonial and Old West periods
in the Rio Grande Valley. Enjoy First Friday Art Walk beginning in September
each year to enjoy over two dozen galleries.

… and your body

With
over 600 restaurants in McAllen alone, the culinary world is alive and well in
the Valley, offering cuisine that is second to none. Among several restaurants
in the McAllen Art District is locally owned Salt-New American Table, offering not only great food but also unique
dining experiences. At one side of
this restaurant is a beautiful exhibition kitchen where guests can sit and
enjoy their dining experience while watching the Chefs work their magic; but
you have to get there early for these seats.

SHOPPING:

There is no
shortage of shopping opportunities in the Valley, from high-end and outlet
shopping to specialty downtown boutiques, the McAllen area attracts shoppers
from as far away as Northern Mexico to this multi-national community.

My,
how the Valley has changed over the years! rediscover it for yourself.

Photo above: The Rio Grande boasts more than 85 birding sanctuaries, where bird-watchers can spot green jays, great kickadees, chachalacas, and more.

Arrive early and snag a seat at the Chef’s Table at Salt-New American Table in McAllen, and watch the chef’s create dishes for your dining pleasure.

A visit to the Valley wouldn’t be complete without a view of the Rio Grand River - this one’s from the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.